The Observer, April 11, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 24
Struggling softball hopes to turn the corner
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The past four weeks had been long ones for the Spartan softball team before this past weekend's doubleheader against Allegheny College. Since the five-game win streak in the first weeks of March, the Spartans had only managed two wins over 14 games and were having trouble putting runs on the board, being held to less than two runs seven times.
After Friday's doubleheader, scheduled to be at home against Hiram, was cancelled, the Spartans had to wait until Saturday morning for a shot at the Gators.
The Spartans have been paced by senior center fielder Lauren Seeds, who is batting .311, and freshman left fielder Teddi Jacobson, who is having a great first season, batting over .300 as well. In game one, it was that duo that stepped up to go a combined five of seven at the plate, accounting for three of the ten runs scored in game one. Sophomores Katie Svilar and Chelsae Poelking, as well as freshman Anneliese Fetterman all had two hits, each batted in a run, and also all managed to cross the plate at least once. Tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning, the Spartans would score in every frame thereafter, before finalizing a 10-2 victory in game one–the fifth win of the season for pitcher Ruthe Sagartz.
In game two, the Spartans would walk 11 times, while only gathering three hits in the afternoon session. Seeds and freshman shortstop Beth Andrasik both reached base in every plate appearance, but couldn't do it all against the Gators, who managed to catch fire at the plate after a slow first game. Seven of the 10 Allegheny batters got hits, with cleanup hitter Rachel Ryan knocking in four runs against Teddi Jacobson, who took on pitching duties in the second leg of the doubleheader. The Spartans lost the second game 3-7.
This season's record of 9-15 at this point resembles the 10-14 record the Spartans had at this same time last year. A year ago, Seeds, a captain then, just as she is today, said that it was the team's cohesiveness that would make them better down the stretch, adding that "as a captain, it is my job to keep the momentum going, keep the energy high, and make sure things get taken care of." After that conversation, the Spartans went on to win seven of their next eight games, six of which were on the road. The momentum and energy should be at a season-high over the next 10 days, as the Spartans play five straight doubleheaders at home in an attempt at déjà vu of last year's successful stretch in mid-April. The next time you can see the Spartans in action is Sunday afternoon against Baldwin-Wallace College. First pitch is at 1 p.m.
